The contour and highlighting trends are still alive and well and especially relevant for the holiday season when we take a little extra time to put together our holiday looks.
To that end, I’d like to introduce you to Beauty Junkees latest foray into the makeup world. You may remember my post from a few months ago about Beauty Junkees fabulous Contour Brush Set (my review here; also the black blender sponge that comes with the set is my absolute favorite sponge, and it’s now sold separately in a 4 pack!).
Beauty Junkees Powder Contour Kit
Now Beauty Junkees has come out with their new Powder Contour Highlighting Kit to go along with the Contour Brush Set or with any brushes that you already own and love.
The kit comes in a heavy, well made cardboard and plastic palette that snaps nicely shut with a magnetic closure. I was amazed to discover that the kit is refillable. Each 36 mm pan is removable. I love that! It comes with 6 lovely matte shades that can also be used as setting powder, eyeshadow or brow powder. I love multi-taskers <3
The shades are pretty much cool toned though I think there is some latitude on who could wear them. I’d also say the palette is best for those with fair to medium skin tones.
Contouring
While I don’t contour everyday, I’m always happy when I have the time to do at least a little contouring. I think it makes my square face have a little more dimension. And I always try to remember to do a bit of contouring around my jawline to help camouflage the effects of time.
Because my skin tone is light, it can sometimes be a challenge to find the right contour shades. I love the three shades that Beauty Junkees included in this set. Shades 1 Fawn and 3 Truffle in the lower row work the best for me. If you have a deeper skin tone, I’m sure you’ll find shades 2 Java and 3 Truffle to your liking.
Highlighting
When it comes to highlighting, I don’t always want to use a shimmery shade. Sometimes and especially for everyday or business situations, I prefer a matte highlighter to add a little light to my face without the glitter. Shades 2 Vanilla and 3 Sand of the upper row work best for me. Unfortunately, no matter what lighting I tried, I wasn’t able to capture the shade variations in the photo of my swatches, but the shades are indeed different and can be clearly seen in person, as you can in the pans!
I also sometimes use these lovely matte highlighters as a finishing or a setting powder. The first shade reminds me of banana powder that is so popular, and in fact, it’s called Banana.
Banana is perfect to use to mitigate the purple tones in dark shadows under eyes. All three shades work well on the bridge of the nose, in the cupid’s bow, above the brow bone (if you don’t have bangs like me).
Overall Thoughts on the Palette
I am so pleased with the Powder Contour Highlighting Kit from Beauty Junkees. The powders are not “powdery”. They don’t kick up dust or produce fall out. They feel buttery and smooth. The shades are subtle and easy to apply and control. In addition, Beauty Junkees is parabens-free and cruelty-free. Made in the U.S.
Like the other Beauty Junkees products I’ve tried, they are high quality but still affordable. And you can’t beat that. Beauty Junkees Powder Contour Kit is priced at $24.97 and is sold on Amazon. And to sweeten the deal at holiday time, Beauty Junkees gave me a 25% discount coupon code for my readers: NEVERSAY. The discount code is good until January 7, 2017 (it’s good for one redemption per person so get your entire order together at once 😉 ). The code brings the price of the Contour Kit down to $18.73. Wow.
5 Piece Kabuki Makeup Brush Set
At this time of year we’re all thinking holiday gifts, so I wanted to take a minute to mention the Beauty Junkees 5 Piece Kabuki Brush Set. I was blown away when I received this incredible set to try out a few months ago. I’ve been using it religiously, but I’ve been waiting for the gifting season to tell you about it, because this set makes one impressive but incredibly affordable gift.
The brushes arrived in a professional looking case (reminds me on a photographic lens carrying case) that really protects the brushes and helps keep them clean and dust-free. I couldn’t believe I owned something so nice.
It comes with 5 brushes with solid, easy to hold black handles with the softest, densely packed synthetic bristles that are held in tightly by the silver ferrule between the bristles and the handle. There is no shedding from these beauties!
And here are the brushes that come in the Kabuki set in order top to bottom:
- Flat Kabuki
- Flat Angled Kabuki
- Angled Kabuki
- Round Kabuki
- Tapered Kabuki.
Here’s a closeup of the Round and the Tapered Kabuki brushes so you can really see how soft and densely packed they are:
The brushes work equally well with liquid, cream and powder foundations. They feel great on my skin, and they are just the right density to evenly distribute my foundation whichever type I go with. In addition, they’re easy to clean with a mild soap, Blender Cleanser, brush cleaner, or baby shampoo.
Check out these and the other brush sets from Beauty Junkees, either for yourself or for a gift. The Kabuki Makeup Brush Set is sold on Amazon for $19.97, but you can use the NEVERSAY discount coupon code to purchase it and anything else in your order at the same time. The discount would bring the cost to about $15, that’s $3 a brush. That price is almost too good to be true! And while you’re at it take a look at the Contour Brush Set, the Eye Set, the Travel Brush Set, and the super affordable blending sponges that I reviewed here. All great gift ideas!
Have you tried Beauty Junkees?
Shades like banana are must haves for me… the dark circles take on another life some days!
Brooke @ Blushing Noir recently posted…Tips for Applying & Wearing Maybelline Dream Cushion Foundation & Dream Brightening Creamy Concealer
Definitely!
Thank you for including the contouring chart….. I needed that!
I have a contouring chart I did on my face, but it was hideous. This one is much more professional. It’s always good to have a reminder of where things go!
Great contouring palette. ? Love that the colors are “matte!” Do you think you could use these as eye shadows? ? Such great colors. Don’t forget today at Ulta 55% off sale! ???Also “Share” a HUG ?! Today is “Hug Wednesday!” ??
And a big hug back to you, DiEtta! As far as the palette goes, I was sooooooo delighted that the highlighter shades are matte!!! I don’t always want to look like a disco ball but I do want a little light on my face. I haven’t used these yet as eyeshadows, but their website says that they can be used as eyeshadow and setting or finishing powder, and I have been using them as powder and they’re terrific. BTW, the makeup brushes – all the sets since I have them all – are fabulous and with the discount, they’re almost free 😉 I got the email from Ulta this morning about the sale. There were a number a great deals on sets. Now I wish I had waited to pick up some things for Jeff’s daughters, grrrr. I still have my 20% off discount coupon to use at Ulta!!
I have the kabuki brush from this brand and it’s so lovely!!! I have long wanted to try contour palette but I don’t think I’ll use most of the shades and it’ll be a waste of money.
Shireen L. Platt recently posted…The Best Beauty Discoveries of 2016
The kabuki brushes are so soft. I just love using them. Finding the right contour shades is a must. These cool toned shades really suit me, finally!
That looks like a good kit for pale skin.
Phyrra recently posted…How to Apply Foundation, Contour and Highlighter
I have those brushes and absolutely love them! They are so soft against the skin, but not so much so as to compromise their efficacy! That contour kit looks really great!
Lola Seicento recently posted…Rituals Holiday Gift Guide | #Rituals #GiftGuide #HostessGifts
The Contour Set is terrific. The shades are so perfect for those of us with lighter skin tones, and I was thrilled to get matte highlighter shades! Yes, the makeup brushes are an astonishing value – how can they do it??
That banana color sounds like something that would be good for my under eye area. My circles are terrible! The brushes remind me of the ones from IT Cosmetics and they sound just as good.
The banana shade would be great for that purpose, Aleya. The brushes are almost as great as the IT Cosmetics brushes, but a lot more affordable. They are soft and densely packed like the IT, and just as nice to use.
I use the Kabuki brushes all the time. They are different from my other brushes so they fit needs that weren’t satisfied before. Your picture of the contour palette is perfect. I couldn’t get the lighting right to show the shades as well as you did.
MarciaF recently posted…Limited Edition Holiday Treats from Kaplan MD!
Thank you, Marcia! I was struggling to get the highlight swatches to show the differences, but with the winter light I wasn’t able to capture it. I was pleased that the palette closeup did show the differences among the shades, yay!
I’ve held off from buying a contour palette–this one actually looks very useful!
Cindy (Prime Beauty) recently posted…#Groupon for Holiday Gifts!
This is a really great contour palette, Cindy. It’s cool-neutral toned, and perfect for fair to light/medium skin tones. Plus it’s a steal with the discount.
I like that the powders aren’t powdery. I hate it when there’s a lot of fall out from powder products. I am interested in those brushes!
Kim recently posted…StoryWorth: The Perfect Gift for the Person Who Has Everything
All of the brush sets are amazing, Kim, and they are an absolute steal especially with the 25% off discount! I just love using them.
That’s a great deal and the palette looks really versatile for contouring!
Babi recently posted…HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE: 3 Fabulous Fragrances Under $50
I agree, and I’m enjoying it. Thanks, Babi!
I don’t contour too much, but I love the look of these shades. The highlight shades alone would make me happy though.
Bailey recently posted…Holiday Luxe | Mark Holiday 2016
I felt the same way seeing those matte highlighters. And finally some contour shades that aren’t too dark for light skin tones, yay!
Those brushes look amazing!
I am always to the moon with Beauty Junkees products, I think they are so great for the price point and I stopped buying brushes from other highend brands and just sticking with BJ. I’m definitely impressed with that palette, it’s awesome.
Honeygirlk recently posted…Review – Bellimisa Masterful Eyes Mascara
I agree, Honey. I actually don’t know how BJ can deliver such great quality at such an affordable price point!
Intrigued about the contouring palette. Looks like te colors would work really well for us fair-skinned girls!
Anastasia recently posted…HOLIDAY 2016: Gifts For Men
Definitely a contour palette for lighter skin tones, yay!
Their brushes are some of my favorites.
My Newest Addiction recently posted…Quick and Easy Hair Routine
I feel the same way. And what a deal Beauty Junkees brushes are!